Tyre Mounting Shoe Geometry for Tight Tubeless Rim Fits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for installing and removing bicycle tyres from wheel rims face challenges such as requiring excessive force, potential damage to rims, incompatibility with different rim types, and inconvenience in carrying and using for roadside repairs, especially with modern tubeless tyres and carbon fibre rims.
Innovation Solution
A tool comprising a shoe with a first and second surface forming a channel for the wheel rim, a toe portion, and a shoulder portion for installing tyres, and a removal hook with an articulated joint for removing tyres, providing a handle for applying radial and outward forces to facilitate tyre installation and prising the bead over the rim edge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional tyre levers are used to install or remove tyres, then the tool can engage with the rim, but considerable force is required which makes it difficult or impossible to operate manually without damaging the tube, breaking the tool, or damaging carbon fibre rims
Solution Approach 1:
The tool incorporates a flexible blade that can bend and deform elastically under applied force, allowing the user to leverage their body weight and apply gradual force without exceeding the strength limits of the tyre, tube, or rim. The flexibility allows the blade to conform to the rim geometry and distribute force across a larger area, reducing peak stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is divided into distinct functional segments: a flexible blade for engaging the tyre bead, a rigid handle for applying force, and an articulated joint connecting them. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the flexible blade deforms to engage the tyre, while the rigid handle transmits force efficiently, and the articulated joint allows angular adjustment.
2Reliability
If standard tools are used with modern tubeless tyres, then the tool can engage the rim, but the fit between the bead and rim is extremely tight requiring large forces that can damage carbon fibre rims or break the tool
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible blade dynamically adapts to the rim geometry and tyre bead tension, deforming elastically to engage the tight fit between bead and rim without applying excessive concentrated force. This dynamic flexibility prevents damage to carbon fibre rims while still providing sufficient force to break the seal of modern tubeless tyres.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool changes the physical state of the blade from rigid to flexible, allowing it to deform and conform to the specific geometry of the rim and tyre bead. This parameter change in blade flexibility enables the tool to work with the extreme tightness of modern tubeless tyre fits without exceeding damage thresholds.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tools with hooks are used to prevent disengagement, then the tool can stay engaged with hooked rims, but such tools do not function well with hookless rims
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is designed with a universal engagement mechanism that works with both hooked and hookless rims. The flexible blade can conform to various rim geometries and engage the tyre bead directly, eliminating the need for rim-specific features. This universal design allows the same tool to effectively service different rim types without modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool uses a flexible blade whose engagement characteristics can adapt to different rim types through deformation, rather than relying on fixed geometric features like hooks. This parameter change in blade flexibility and shape allows the tool to maintain effective engagement across varied rim geometries.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tools or multiple levers are used to address various issues, then different rim and tyre combinations can be handled, but this is inconvenient and not compact for roadside repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate tools into a single integrated device: a flexible blade for tyre engagement, a rigid handle for force application, and an articulated joint for angular adjustment. This merged design consolidates the functionality of multiple levers and hooks into one tool, making it compact and convenient for roadside repairs while maintaining versatility across different rim and tyre types.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated tool performs multiple functions: it can engage both hooked and hookless rims, work with tubeless and tubed tyres, and adapt to various rim geometries. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools, providing a single versatile solution for all tyre installation and removal scenarios.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and damage-free installation and removal of tyres on various rim types, including hookless rims, with mechanical advantages that reduce the required force and prevent tool disengagement, suitable for both workshop and roadside use.
Implementation Method 1
a body, connected to the removal hook via an articulated joint to enable the body to be rotated relative to the removal hook
Implementation Method 2
advancing the shoe in the circumferential direction toward the cross-over point applies a radially outward force to the bead, and the shoulder portion urges the bead in the direction from outside the wheel rim to inside the wheel rim
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for installing a tyre onto a wheel rim includes: a shoe, and a body, connected to the shoe, providing a handle portion. The shoe includes: a first surface for contacting an inner portion of the wheel rim side wall; a second surface, with the surfaces forming, a channel for receiving the wheel rim radially outer edge; a toe projecting beyond the leading edge of the second surface in the circumferential direction of the wheel rim and continuing the first surface in the circumferential direction; and a shoulder. When installing a tyre, at the cross-over point where the bead of a partially installed tyre crosses from outside the wheel rim to inside the wheel rim, the surfaces are contactable with the inner portion of the side wall and radially outer edge of the wheel rim, respectively, with the toe portion projecting underneath the bead of the tyre.